Did you get hurt in a collision caused by a drunk driver? As the victim of these circumstances, you have rights. Let a drunk driving accident lawyer in Fresno take legal action on your behalf and pursue a fair outcome in your case.
At The Ryan Law Group, our attorneys have more than three decades of combined experience. Since 2011, we have recovered over $100 million in compensation. Our car accident lawyers in Fresno will pursue damages for the harm you have suffered.
Your Civil Claim Will Be Separate From Any Criminal Case
After a drunk driving accident, police and prosecutors handle the criminal investigation. They will focus on determining if the driver violated the law and which criminal consequences apply. Your personal injury claim is designed to seek compensation for the losses you experienced.
These proceedings can overlap, but they are not the same. A criminal prosecution can result in the following penalties:
- Fines
- Probation
- License restrictions
- Incarceration
A civil lawsuit focuses on financial recovery for an injured person or the family of someone who died. You do not necessarily have to wait for the criminal case to conclude before pursuing a civil claim. The timing and the strategy involved in your case depend on:
- The facts
- Available evidence
- Any legal issues involved
A criminal conviction can provide useful evidence in a related civil case. However, an arrest or criminal charge alone does not establish every element of your injury claim. Likewise, the absence of a conviction does not automatically prevent you from pursuing compensation.
Our Fresno personal injury lawyers can monitor relevant criminal proceedings, obtain available records, and build a separate civil case around the evidence of liability and the extent of your damages.
For a Free Legal Consultation With a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Serving Fresno, Call (310) 299-9550
California Law Holds Drunk Drivers Responsible for Their Actions
In California, state laws provide a way to seek financial compensation from people whose wrongful conduct causes accidents. More specifically, California Vehicle Code § 23152 prohibits driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher. Certain drivers face harsher restrictions, including:
- Commercial operators, who cannot legally drive with a BAC of 0.04% or higher
- Those under the age of 21, who cannot legally drive with any measurable amount of alcohol in their system
A personal injury claim does not depend entirely on whether the driver was arrested or convicted of driving under the influence. A civil claim focuses on whether the driver’s conduct caused the collision and the resulting harm.
Our Fresno drunk driving accident law firm can review the available evidence, determine which legal claims apply, and establish how the driver’s actions contributed to your injuries. This can be especially helpful if disputes over responsibility become part of your case.
Fresno Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Near Me (310) 299-9550
Negligence Claims Can Cover More Than the Initial Collision
A drunk driving accident claim generally rests on negligence. This involves the failure to use reasonable care, which then causes harm as a result. Driving while impaired can support a negligence claim, but victims need evidence connecting the driver’s conduct to these details:
- The collision
- The resulting losses
California law also recognizes negligence per se in appropriate cases. This legal doctrine can help establish a driver’s breach of duty when the driver violated a law intended to prevent the type of harm suffered. The doctrine has specific requirements.
A statutory violation does not automatically resolve every part of a civil claim. This is why evidence regarding the driver’s actions, the circumstances of the crash, and the injuries resulting from the collision can help your Fresno drunk driving accident lawyer establish liability.
Your attorney can examine the available evidence to determine which acts contributed to the collision and how they support your claim. This analysis also helps when the driver argues that road conditions, another motorist, or an unexpected event caused the crash.
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For Legal Help From Our Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys in Fresno, Call The Ryan Law Group
As the victim of a drunk driving collision, you deserve to be represented by a legal team that takes your injuries seriously and handles your case respectfully. At The Ryan Law Group, our Fresno drunk driving accident attorneys understand the importance of your claim.
That’s why we’re committed to providing direct and personalized assistance to all of our clients. We recognize that uncertainty can add stress to an already overwhelming situation, so we’ll put you in touch with a dedicated case manager who can serve as a consistent point of contact.
We also have an app that offers automatic case updates, which makes it that much easier for you to stay informed about important developments in your case. Contact our drunk driving accident law firm in Fresno to discuss your circumstances in greater detail during a free consultation.
Call or Text (310) 299-9550, or Complete a Free Case Evaluation Form
